WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) -- Wausau residents might want to brace themselves for a property tax increase. The city’s Finance Committee voted Tuesday night to forward Mayor Jim Tipple’s budget proposal to the full city council with the addition of two full-time police officers.
Committee Chairman Keene Winters says the proposal is going to cost taxpayers a lot more if it passes. “We’ve added costs, so it looks like we’re planning to raise the levy 992-million dollars, or 4%, or three times the rate of inflation. That’s what the committee decided.”
Winters is not in favor of the budget as passed. “No, I’m not. I wouldn’t be surprised if the entire thing passes the council. I doubt that I will vote for it. It’s a very expensive budget, and it grows government much beyond our means here in Wausau.”
Mayor Jim Tipple admits there is an increase in the levy to balance the budget, but says that’s what is needed to pay for the police, fire, utility, garbage, and other municipal services the residents expect. “I’ve done my job with a balanced budget. There is an increase. Finance (Committee) approved that tonight, and now it’s up to the council to either agree, disagree, or make some changes.”
The budget is now in the hands of the full city council. There will be a public hearing on the budget at the November 11th council meeting. Both Winters and Tipple urge residents to attend and offer their input. The Mayor says he expects the council to propose changes and cuts at that time, but admits cutting is not going to be easy. “Cuts are always tough decisions. We also need to weigh, have the public at the public hearing weigh in on some of their suggestions, so, the budget that came from me and approved by the Finance Committee and is going to council. Add the public input into it, and the final decision will be the council either approves (it) or makes some recommendations to the budget as it is today.”
In other business, the city’s cellphone contract has been renewed, but it was suggested that in the future, this contract be handled by the city’s information technology department.